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August 4, 2009

Ortloff sentencing delayed

By ANDREA VanVALKENBURG

ALBANY — The sentencing for former Assemblyman Chris Ortloff has been delayed again.

The 61-year-old Plattsburgh man has been behind bars since April 23, when his sentencing appearance for child enticement was adjourned until this month.

But now the Aug. 11 appearance has been adjourned until this fall, federal authorities said Tuesday.

Ortloff was arrested last fall following a police sting that revealed the former high-profile politician was trying to arrange sex with two young girls.

For weeks, Ortloff thought he'd been chatting online with the girl's mother, but he was really corresponding with an undercover police investigator.

The Internet exchange later led authorities to an Albany-area hotel room, where Ortloff was planning to meet girls he believed were 11 and 12 years old.

Ortloff, who had once been a well-known local TV anchorman, later admitted to a single count of online enticement of a minor.

He now faces a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison, along with a potential $250,000 fine, when he returns to federal court in Albany at 2 p.m. Nov. 9.

Prosecutors are expected to recommend a reduced sentence as part of the negotiated plea.

Ortloff's attorney, Andrew Safranco, previously told the Press-Republican that the April sentencing delay was sought to address issues with the pre-sentencing report.

U.S. Assistant District Attorney Thomas Spina said the latest delay was due to a scheduling conflict.

Ortloff, who turned himself in at the time of the April sentencing date so he could start serving time, has never commented publicly on the case.

E-mail Andrea VanValkenburg at: avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com

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